Charity Warns Of ‘Tragic Waste Of Young Lives’ Lost To Homelessness

A leading UK charity has warned of the “tragic waste of young lives” lost to homelessness, as they prepare to open their doors to an expected 4,000 homeless people this Christmas.

Research conducted by Cardiff University, on behalf of the homeless charity Crisis, reveals how on average young people first become homeless at just 22, with half (48%) aged under 21 and one-third (34%) aged under 18 when they first become homeless.

Crisis warns that two-thirds of vulnerable young people who experience homelessness do so on a recurring basis, because they don’t get the help and support they desperately need to stay off the streets.

Where homeless people turned to their local authority for help and support, nearly two-thirds said they had received no advice, only very basic advice or were referred elsewhere.

Jon Sparkes, Chief Executive of Crisis, said: “Homelessness is a horrifying experience for anyone, but it is especially damaging for young people, who often become homeless again and again because they can’t get the help they need.

“This is a tragic waste of young lives. We need to make sure people can get help at an early stage.

“Everyone deserves a second chance. Yet the sad reality is that homeless people who ask their councils for help are being turned away to sleep on the streets.

“That’s why Crisis is calling on party leaders to review the support given to single homeless people under the law. In this day and age, no one should face the horrors of the streets.”

The research provides the first ever profile of homelessness people in Britain, says Crisis. It warns that young homeless people are often trapped in a vicious circle that leaves them vulnerable to violence and mental health problems, with some turning to substance abuse to escape from the reality of a miserable life.

61% of homeless young women have experienced violence or abuse from a partner and nearly half of all homeless people have had mental health problems.

10% of homeless people have never had a place to call home in all of their adult life.

Report author, Dr Peter Mackie said: “This report is the first to reveal the real differences in people’s experiences of homelessness and of seeking help since devolution.

“Whilst the assistance in Scotland is clearly better than anywhere else, it is worrying that across Great Britain we are failing to assist the vast majority of single people who become homeless.

“If we want to prevent problems from growing for these people and of course for wider society, we must make assistance available to all homeless people.”

Jon Sparkes added: “Christmas should be a time for family and friends, for warmth and celebration, yet for homeless people it can be one of the hardest periods of the year – a cold, lonely time to be suffered rather than enjoyed.

“That’s why, every year, Crisis at Christmas opens its doors to thousands of homeless people, offering warmth, shelter, food and companionship, as well as access to vital services.

“None of this would be possible without the generosity and compassion of thousands of individuals, organisations and companies, who give their time, funds and goods to make Christmas happen for some of society’s most vulnerable people.”

Crisis is calling on politicians from all parties to ensure homeless people can get the help they need, and urges the public to sign its No One Turned Away petition.

Oh I get it make 18 to 25 year old homeless in the expectation they will join the Army/Forces. And there was me thinking it was an austerity deployment – lying buch of hypocrites – you can all kiss you jobs goodbye – for ever.

I was made homeless at 19 years of age after leaving council care. Within two days i had the money to pay for B&B and in one month the deposit for a flat and the first months rent then i was able to get a job and turn my back on crime.. I chose crime and it got me off the streets faster then any charity or council help ever could have got me off the streets.
If society fails to provide the help required to get off the streets the Homeless person should just go help themselves by turning to crime. I risked Prison that is true. but lets face a stark fact Prison is a better option then living on the streets in winter.
A Prison placement today costs around £44,000 a year. forcing people onto the streets costs the Government nothing , which is why you get help leaving prison but very little help when homeless.
Prison offers food and a warm place to sleep and help on release. homelessness offers you no hope at all.
90% of employers are fair they will take a convicted person on if your honest about what led you into crime. Today my family firm employs three people with convictions. their offences were petty when compared to the Expense fraud committed by criminal MP’s such as David Laws.
My advice if your homeless do whatever it takes to get off the streets. if you can do it without committing a crime good if not commit the crime and get off the streets before winter sets in or you may not live to see the next year.
When a society fails the poorest and weakest in it then, that society’s laws do not apply to you as you now are in survival mode,as that society is no longer a civilised one.